Chester’s Sophie Ecclestone took four wickets as England suffered defeat to South Africa in the Women’s Cricket World Cup semi-final.
South Africa posted their highest run tally of the tournament, with 319/7 proving too much for England to chase down and earn a place in Sunday’s final at the DY Patil Stadium against hosts India.
England have missed the chance to recapture the title they won in 2017, despite the best efforts of Ecclestone, who sits number one in the one-day international (ODI) world bowler rankings.
The spin bowler walked away with a personal accolade despite the team’s disappointment of not reaching the final.
At the age of 26, Ecclestone has equalled Carole Hodges as England’s leading wicket taker in ODI World Cups with 37 wickets across two tournaments.
The four-wicket haul in the semi-final loss continues a trend of delivering in big moments, as Ecclestone managed six wickets at the same stage last tournament against now familiar foe South Africa.
Another memorable semi-final performance against South Africa from Sophie Ecclestone 👏🏴 pic.twitter.com/zVlT52MyeA
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) October 29, 2025
Despite a stellar performance in the tournament, Ecclestone came into the World Cup on the back of a testing spell in her professional career, following a break from the game earlier in 2025.
England suffered a whitewash defeat in The Ashes, and Ecclestone refused to do an interview down under, drawing controversy.
The 26-year-old told the BBC: “I feel like that went down a wrong way and a few things were said,
“I was just concentrating on cricket at that moment but a lot of things were being said which wasn’t ideal for me.”
Despite Ecclestone’s bounce-back for England’s World Cup campaign, the side couldn’t make it three finals in a row.
From 115-0 to 116-2 in one over 🔥
Sophie Ecclestone, world-class 🙌 pic.twitter.com/1njg7TJvV2
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 29, 2025
The three opening batters for England failed to put a run on the board, before captain Nat Sciver-Brunt managed 64 to spark a fightback that ultimately proved not enough.
South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt was inspired with 169 runs off 143 balls to set a marker in her side’s quest for their first ODI title since 2005.
The Semi-Final defeat signifies a disappointing ending to the campaign considering England’s stunning victory over South Africa in group stage, bowling The Proteas out for 69.
The tournament exit signifies the end to a prolonged summer for Ecclestone, that included an ODI and T20 series against India and the revolutionary ‘The Hundred’ format for Manchester Originals.
